HANNAH DYAS has become one of the youngest qualified rugby coaches in the country.

The 16-year-old from Bebington recently secured her Level One coaching certificate and is now assistant head coach for Wirral Rugby Club under-nines.

Hannah started playing for the club when she was nine but had to give up two years later because rules dictated she was no longer allowed to play in the same side as boys.

After that she turned her attentions to athletics, and has enjoyed considerable success with Wirral AC, but her passion for rugby has never diminished.

"It was a shame I had to stop playing because I loved it, but from the age of 11 mixed teams aren't allowed and there was no girls' side at our club or anywhere on the Wirral," Hannah told Junior Xsport.

"I started doing athletics instead but I've always been interested in rugby and when I couldn't play any more I thought it would be interesting to help other people.

"I remember being coached and I wanted to help young people learn how to play. I took a tag rugby qualification at Chester last year and then when I was 16 I found out I was old enough to take the Level One coaching course and decided to go for it."

Hannah took the two-day course at the same time as she was studying for her GCSEs.

But the Wirral Grammar School for Girls pupil came through with flying colours - receiving her RFU certificate and securing seven A*s and three As.

"There were about 30 on the course and I was the youngest," she said.

"There were little tests and exams and they watched me coaching a group of adults.

"It was difficult trying to juggle things around, but everyone at school was really supportive.

"I'm coaching at Wirral with under-nines head coach Andy McKenzie and I'm learning all the time. In a year or two when I've gained more experience and confidence I'm hoping to do my Level Two certificate.

"I'm planning to go to university and hopefully they will have a ladies' team so I can start playing again."

McKenzie has hailed Hannah as a key part of the club's junior set-up.

"She gets on superbly with the children and has the respect of all the kids and their parents," he said.

"At that age when they are just starting out in rugby they need to be handled in a particular way and she's able to break things down and demonstrate things clearly.

"We think she's certainly the youngest female coach in Cheshire and probably in the country."

As well as coaching, Hannah devotes a lot of time to her blossoming athletics career. The Wirral AC youngster is the Merseyside 300m hurdles champion in her age group and competed in the English Schools' Championships at Birmingham's Alexander Stadium in July.